Battlefield Simulation Adapter

ABSTRACT

This is an improved battlefield simulation support system, possessing a series of adapters that permit the simulation support system to fire a variety of cartridges with varying electrical and control characteristics. The adapters can be mated with a main body that accepts control inputs and distributes them to a plurality of firing mechanisms.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application61/669,123, filed Jul. 9, 2012, which is included here by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the fields of battlefield simulationequipment, electronic battlefield simulators, and electronic control ofexplosive devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of battlefield simulation, prior art systems igniteenergetic, explosive cartridges containing gunpowder or other explosivesto creating non-lethal concussions, with or without smoke, that are usedin training situations.

Said cartridges may have a plurality of functions and triggeringmechanisms. Functions include loud noise, colored smoke or other visualwarnings, and other unique features.

The cartridges are ignited via electrical excitation The type ofexcitation varies depending on the cartridge type that is used.

While cartridges may have different attributes, such as noise level,smoke level, and light output, the attributes still share common meansof ignition, to avoid duplicative separate trigger mechanisms.

Presently, said cartridges are not of a common construction, requiringdifferent equipment to ignite different classes of cartridges. Thedifference is primarily one of an electrical nature.

The present invention provides adaptation such that an existing triggerbox can be used with a cartridge not designed or capable of beingignited by said un-assisted trigger box.

Typical Commercially available systems are comprised of a triggercontrol unit, which contains the necessary controls to the operator toprovide the proper sequence and means to trigger the pyrotechnic displaydesired. The trigger box also provides the required electrical orelectronic controls to provide the proper safety measures and poweroutput to trigger the energetic cartridge which resides in a holderwhich can safely contain the cartridge through the firing sequence.

Various configurations of these trigger/cartridge holding systems can bemade. Some can be remotely fired via external triggers, others can useproximity or electric ‘eye’, wireless and other radio controlled means.Yet others can be networked together.

Common to these platforms is the use of energetic material, usually madeof some form of gunpowder but not restricted to such, that is in aself-contained cartridge for safe handling and loading.

These cartridges have further safety measures to contain an internalfuse mechanism that requires purposeful application of external power,such that casual contact with the cartridge does not ignite them. Notall cartridges have the same type of fuse and therefore variouscartridges may require various means to ignite. In addition, cartridgesmay be of different sizes, shapes and electrical connection means.

Adaptation may extend beyond just pyrotechnic cartridges. The additionof light emission or sound reproduction could be realized by using thesame means of adaptation and the use of alternate electronic circuits,mechanical sirens, electronic file playback, smoke generators,pressurized gas controlled release.

Types of Existing Cartridge Excitations on the Market Today: AmperageBased:

Cartridge types, such as M30 have an internal fuse that requiresamperage to ignite at a low voltage, typically 12 volts.

High Voltage Based:

Cartridge types such as M34 are available and require a high voltagetrigger, usually in excess of 15 Kv, to ignite. Although such highvoltages are required, the trigger control units typically run off of a12 volt source.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an adapter that can be connected to an existingbattlefield simulation system. The purpose of the present invention isto provide both mechanical and electrical conversion such that a foreigncartridge not designed to be used by a particular trigger system can beplaced in the adapter and the adapter will accept the existing triggersystem signals and provide a secure mounting and electrical conversionto ignite the foreign cartridge.

The present invention is a self-contained adapter that can be firedwithout any further conversion, control or signaling by simply applyingpower.

The present invention allows adapters that do the same function to bemounted or placed near one another.

The present invention allows a single unit capable of holding multiplecartridges that can be fired simply by applying power.

The present invention provides a means to attach various cartridges toan existing system which was not originally designed for said cartridge,and safely ignite them using the existing equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Profiles of native cartridge and foreign cartridges.

FIG. 2: Cross-section of a native cartridge contained in a native holderand with integrated base unit attachment.

FIG. 3: Cross-section of IMGO holder and base unit attachment.

FIG. 4: Top view of cavity with further example of possible high voltageseparation considerations and possible electrical connections.

FIG. 5: Block diagram with one embodiment of conversion electronics.

FIG. 6A. Side Perspective view of preferred embodiment

FIG. 6B. Top Perspective view of preferred embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a self-contained adapter, which can holdmultiple signaling cartridges, utilizing existing trigger signals. Withor without any further power source or controls, the present inventionis able to regenerate the incoming trigger signal and convert it to beable to fire a foreign cartridge. In FIG. 1, native cartridge 100 is onefor which the original trigger mechanism was designed. N represents thediameter of the native cartridge. Y 200 and X 300 indicate differencesin the diameter of the foreign cartridges.

FIG. 2 is an example of a native cartridge 100 contained in a nativeholder 101 and with integrated base unit attachment 102. This diagramshows one example of how an existing system is constructed. The entirenative holder 101,102 attaches to the native base 103.

FIG. 3 is an example of the preferred embodiment holder and base unitattachment. This diagram shows an outline of the adapter 301, 302containing a foreign cartridge 300 and how it attaches to the nativebase unit 103. Item 400 shows the unique cavity for housing theelectrical conversion circuits which can also contain high voltageseparation considerations.

FIG. 4 shows cavity 400 with further example of possible high voltageseparation considerations and possible electrical connections. Items 401and 402 show possible high voltage feed with item 402 showing a metal,carbon or other conductive core surrounded by 401 insulating ring. Thereare both electrical and mechanical considerations in providing auniversal adapter that can provide attachment to an existing system bothelectrically and/or mechanically. The present invention's attachmentmeans can be made to physically accept the mounting provisions ofexisting firing mechanisms or stand-alone as an adjunct to the same viaan adapter plate.

There are electronic incompatibilities among the firing fuses of variouscartridges, as discussed above, and the present invention hasself-contained electronic circuitry that converts the incoming fusefiring energy to the proper form to support the particular cartridgebeing utilized. These electronics are housed in the present invention'smain body section.

A simple example of such conversion is shown in FIG. 5. Note that onceagain, specific electronic elements are implemented to support suchconversion and as such are or may be different for the various typesfuses used in the cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the preferred method of conversionelectronics 403 containing physical electrical connection and optionalinput filtering. Item 404 is an internal oscillator with adjustmentcontrols 405 set at manufacturing time to optimize the power use feedinghigh current drive circuits 406 with voltage protection means drivinghigh voltage transformer 407 with secondary output feeding high voltageisolator 402.

FIG. 6 shows a typical assembled invention. The assembly is comprised ofan adapter plate 601, an inspection port above the adapter plate 601,and above the external electrical connection 604. The inspection plate603 covering the inspection port is held with 4 small screws.

The cartridge holder body 606 sits above the main body 607, whichcontains two side clamps 608. There are a plurality of cartridge slots610 within the holder body 606 to accommodate a variety of cartridges.The cartridge holder 609 covers the holder body 606. The figure is asingle example of many possible adapters.

Other physical considerations include the cartridge containment andholder. The present invention must be able to physically accommodate thetypes of cartridges to be used and must also be able to provideelectrical connections to them. The present invention provides thisfeature by having removable cartridge holders which can be replaced byvarious other holders, each specifically designed for the desiredcartridge.

To aid in the adaptation of the various cartridge holders, anintermediary plate can be utilized to accommodate differences such asheight, width as well as to provide a means to hold electricalconnections between the cartridge holder and the main body section ofthe present invention.

Electrical connection are made via the external electrical connector 604provided on the sides of the device's main body 607, as in FIG. 6. Theseconnections can be further modified by using one of a plurality ofconnectors or an electrical converter cable that provides translationfrom the device connector to the target cartridge.

The present invention is a self-contained adapter which fits in form toan existing fixture, utilizes existing trigger signals, and without anyfurther power source or controls, is able to regenerate the incomingtrigger signal and convert it to be able to fire a foreign cartridge.

As an optional additional embodiment of the invention, it is possible touse an additional local power source that connects to the invention, andthen the invention would use the trigger from the current device tofire. The present invention would be connected to the existing firingsystem. This would cover those circumstances where the current firingsystem would not be able to provide enough energy to fire a foreigncartridge, and this method would allow users to do so.

As another optional embodiment, using the external power adaptationprovided by the present invention, a trigger signal designed for firinga single or fixed number of cartridges could be expanded to provide forthe firing of a virtually unlimited number of cartridges off of thatsame trigger.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, withoutparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battlefield simulation adapter, the adaptercomprised of an adapter plate, a main body, a cartridge holder body, acartridge holder, and a plurality of cartridges, the main body restingon the adapter plate, the main body possessing an inspection port on theside of the main body and an external electrical connection above theadapter plate and above the external electrical connection, theinspection port covered completely by an inspection plate, the cartridgeholder body sitting above the main body, the cartridge holder bodypossessing a plurality of cartridge slots in its upper surface, thecartridge holder body optionally resting on an intermediary platebetween the main body and itself, the intermediary plate capable ofadjusting the adapter to various sized cartridge holder bodies and totheir various electrical characteristics, the cartridge holder coveringthe cartridge holder body upper surface completely, the cartridge holderbody possessing two side clamps, one on each side of the cartridgeholder body, said side clamps positioned to hold the cartridge holderdown removably onto the upper surface of the cartridge holder body, saidcartridge slots selected from a range of physical sizes and electricalvoltage/amperage characteristics such that cartridges inserted in saidcartridge slots are capable of being powered and controlled by controlsignals sent to the adapter, said control signals entering the adaptervia the external electrical connection, the main body possessingconversion electronics that aid in converting electrical characteristicsfrom control signals and power input to the main body into control andpower input capable of firing cartridges held in the cartridge holderbody.
 2. The battlefield simulation adapter of claim 1, where theconversion electronics are physical electrical connections and inputfiltering comprised of an internal oscillator with adjustment controlsset at manufacturing time to optimize the power use, said power feedinghigh current drive circuits with a voltage protection means driving ahigh voltage transformer with secondary output, said transformer feedinga high voltage isolator.
 3. The battlefield simulation adapter of claim1 where the cartridges are selected from the list of amperage based andhigh voltage based, said amperage based cartridges similar to the M30cartridge, said high voltage based cartridges similar to the M34,requiring in excess of 15 Kv to fire, running off a 12 volt source.